EASTEC, the largest
manufacturing exposition and conference in the Northeast, attracts
more than 10,000 manufacturing professionals who come to discover
the latest technologies and processes from nearly 500 exhibitors,
keynote presentations and resource centers.

"People who can understand and use the latest technology are
essential to a strong economy. Manufacturing offers good jobs and
good careers. As the global leader in our industry, its part of
Sandvik Coromant's responsibility to encourage this kind of
innovation in the next generation and to help people understand the
value of manufacturing for them, both personally and for the
contribution they can make for everyone who uses the products they
design and produce, said Jamie Price, president, Sandvik Coromant
US.

The innovations and creativity of the students who participate
in the EASTEC Student Summit will help them directly and will
demonstrate to other students the opportunities that are available
in their own back yards in these high-tech industries."

The EASTEC Student Challenge includes the development of a team or
individual manufacturing project with the oversight by a local
manufacturing sponsor. The challenges are:

Student teams will produce a final product representing
the results of a reverse engineering process for a part made by
their sponsor manufacturer. The final presentation must demonstrate
an understanding of both the part and principles of the engineering
design.

Made in the Northeast

Students will research a product or products made by the sponsor
manufacturer and create a marketing campaign that demonstrates an
understanding of both the manufacturing process and the product
itself.

Regional high schools that have a specific science, technology,
engineering and mathematics (STEM) curriculum have been invited to
attend. Based on a review of the proposed challenges, up to 350
students will be invited to participate. Student teams will consist
of three to six students.

The challenge concludes with a visit to EASTEC where students
will be able to talk with manufacturing professionals and see
machinery in action. At this time, their projects will be reviewed
and prizes awarded.

The Manufacturing Challenge is a chance to stimulate technical
interests in young people, said Dolores Gauthier, interim manager
of member units for SME. It is an opportunity to eliminate the
antiquated stereotype of manufacturing and STEMrelated careers, and
to bridge the gap between education and industry.

EASTEC 2013 takes place May 14-16 at Eastern States Exposition
in West Springfield, Mass. The event layout is organized in five
exhibit categories to help attendees navigate the grounds: Design,
Engineering, and Rapid Technologies; Tooling, Workholding and
Machining Accessories; Automation, Quality and Process Improvement;
Plant, Energy, and Environmental Efficiency; and Precision
Manufacturing Equipment and Systems.

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers
(SME) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge,
education and networking. Through its many programs, events,
activities and online training division, Tooling
U, SME connects manufacturing practitioners to each other, to
the latest technologies and to the most up-to-date manufacturing
processes. SME has members around the world and is supported by a
network of chapters and technical communities. A 501(c)3
organization, SME is a leader in manufacturing workforce
development issues, working with industry, academic and government
partners to support the current and future skilled workforce.